Regarding your endorsement by the Green Party last time you ran for Park and Recreation
Board, the Green Party was not a "major political party" It is now. You did not four
years ago proudly proclaim to all at any DFL endorsing convention your endorsement by
the Green Party--I was delegate remember?
In mn previous post (I reviewed it again), I did not say Dean Z was a officer or member
of any governing body of the Green Party. Instead I said he has attended many of
their meetings and offered his support and listed other actions by Dean for the Green
Party.
As to Arthur LaRue, in a telephone conversation last month to a candidate for the Sixth
Ward he told the candidate he wouldn't be attending the convention because of he was an
officer of the Green Party.
As to what happened and said at the Green Endorsing Convention Saturday, I was not
there. My information came from a friend of Dean's (30 plus years) and mine. So I
assume our friend and a supporter of Dean's was not telling the truth.
But, I do have in my possession an e-mail from Zimmerman's campaign manager, Chris
Allision, stating that Dean would not be seeking DFL endorsement at the 6th Ward
convention but wanted to speak. Then, Dean fills out on Sunday morning (past the
Friday deadline) a questionnaire and gives it to the DFL Green Caucus asking for
endorsement. Something he received in a process nobody except a select few knew
anything about. So much for "separate, but equal".
Dean I think you also will acknowledge that when you first ran for the Park and
Recreation Board with DFL endorsement I was an early supporter of yours. Many of my
DFL "hack" friends thought and said I was nuts. I didn't think so, and still don't. I
think you offered a perspective on the Board and truly cared about our city's park and
lakes. I again supported you four years later.
My question to you Dean, is it "separate"? Are you also seeking the DFL Party's
endorsement. Under the City Charter you can put a three word party designation on the
ballot. Which party will it be? Minnesota law does not allow fusion. Andy Dawkins
found that out several years ago. If you think the DFL Party will allow you put
"Green/DFL Party", you sadly mistaken.
Your friend
Rick Stafford
Powderhorn Park - Ward 9
Dean Zimmermann wrote:
> Rick Stafford wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> Evidently, Fred believes that somehow I and others are using inflamed
> opinion and not evidence in making a decision about challenges to
> individuals
> participating in DFL conventions and meetings. That has never been the
> case. The persons I have mentioned: Dean Zimmerman - at an October 19 rally
> in Minneapolis, I saw first-hand and talked with Dean at the Gore rally when
> he was posing for the television cameras after the rally trying to get on TV
> hoisting a banner for the Green Party and Ralph Nader. In addition, I asked
> Dean if he planned to now seek endorsement for the Park and Recreation Board
> as a Green and hoped he was going to Green Party meetings instead of DFL
> meetings. His answer was "you bet."
>
> For the record, both the DFL AND the Green Party endorsed Dean Zimmermann
> for re-election to the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board in the last
> elections. Dean has never hidden his affiliation with the Green Party of MN.
>
> He has been a continuous participate at Green Party governing board meetings
> since that time...
>
> Again, for the record: The Green Party of MN has a party chair -- a title
> imposed on our party by the state of MN not by our choice -- a treasurer,
> and a "governing" body called the Coordinating Committee comprised of Green
> Party members from throughout the state. Dean Zimmermann does not at this
> time serve on the Coordinating Committee of the Green Party nor has he in
> the past. He has never been an "officer" in the state Green Party nor in the
> local Twin Cities or Minneapolis chapter. This is not to say that Dean is
> not proud of his affiliation with and membership in the Green Party of MN,
> he simply does not have sufficient time to devote to this aspect of party
> work given the press of making a living and serving on the MP&RB.
>
> ...and at the Saturday Green Party 5th CD/City Endorsing Convention he told
> participates "he was through with the DFL Party".
>
> Really? Forgive me if I overlooked seeing you at this meeting, Mr.
> Stafford, if in fact you were there, which I do not believe you were, but
> where would you have gotten such a quote? I have checked with a number of
> Green Party members in attendance at this meeting and none of us can
> recollect that Dean said any such thing. While he feels that the DFL has not
> only abandoned him and everything he believes in and has worked for as an
> activist for the past 40+ years, it has abandoned the entire populist,
> progressive community in MN. Dean made many friends and gained many
> supporters during his years of involvement in the DFL -- those friends and
> supporters who also have held steady in their populist/progressive/co-op
> beliefs along with Dean, are still there for him In stressing his support of
> the Green Party and the 10 Key Values that underlie and give structure to
> the activities of the party during his endorsement speech, I can see where
> someone might construe that Dean would or could make such a statement.
>
> <snip>
>
> Arthur LaRue is an officer of the Green Party (and, I wish to state I
> believe LaRue is a person of integrity--evidenced by his post).
>
> For the record: Arthur LaRue, a friend of mine and fellow Green Party
> member, is NOT an officer of the Green Party. He is not the party Chair, nor
> the party's Treasurer, nor does he serve on the Coordinating Committee. Yes,
> Arthur is most definitely a person of integrity -- and he was even before
> his post and whether or not Mr. Stafford thinks he has personal integrity.
>
> <snip>
>
> You put is squarely Fred. "Greens" out of the DFL. Yes, "Greens" are a
> political party. "Greens" should do their thing! DFL will do its!
>
> Yes -- both parties separate and unequal... at least for the moment. Sooner
> I think rather than later elected officials of both parties will need to
> leave the past behind and figure out how best to work together to forward a
> populist/progressive agenda for our wonderful city, Minneapolis -- if the
> DFL hasn't forgotten what that agenda is all about.
>
> Jenny Heiser
> Green Party of MN Coordinating Committee member
> Campaign Chair, for Urban Superhero Dean Zimmermann,
> Candidate for Minneapolis City Council/Ward 6
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